Super Bowl XXXIX is upon us, and the arguments have been going on for weeks. We here at the Spectrum would like to offer the best arguments by a few fabulous football fans as to who's going to take the cake or the trophy or Janet Jackson's top this year. The three categories hold a point total of 10 points with total scores maxing out at 30 and ultimate-total scores for the grand prize equaling 60.
Patriots dynasty is unstoppable
WILL ARONIN
The best thing about the New England Patriots, and the reason they are 26-2 in their last 28 games including post season, is that they are above the individual. They are 50 people playing together as one, with one solitary goal in mind - winning. They actually had 40 different starters this season and still managed to go 14-2. In fact, New England has so perfected the art of winning that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are only one win away from beating Bart Starr and Vince Lombardi's playoff win record, a streak going back to the very first Super Bowl.
One great way to tell how the Pats and Eagles stack up against each other, just look at the competition each team played to get where they are. The AFC was clearly the much stronger conference throughout the season and the playoffs were no different.
The Eagles didn't really play any great competition to get where they are. Beating the 8-8 Vikings, who backed into the playoffs, is no great accomplishment. As for the NFC championship game, Michael Vick, although he can run like Barry Sanders, has yet to prove he can actually throw the ball.
The Patriots on the other hand dismantled the record-breaking Colts offense, keeping Peyton Manning without a single touchdown. Then Brady and the Patriots picked apart the NFL's best-ranked defense at Heinz Field the very next week, scoring more points in that game (41) than Pittsburgh had allowed in their last five home games combined. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best - and that's what New England has done.
One "X-factor" for Sunday would have to be Adam Vinatieri. Be it the snow-bowl against Oakland, the game-winning kicks in either Super Bowl win, or the longest field goal by an opposing kicker at Heinz Field two weeks ago, number 4 has proven himself to be one of the single most clutch players in the NFL.
Final Score: 23-20 Patriots with a last second Vinatieri field goal to send Owens home crying.
Judges Table
DG: Aronin, you picked out some great stats from a sea of available numbers, but the one that impresses me the most is the connection to Bart Starr and Vince Lombardi. Lombardi, who is arguably the best coach in NFL history, seems untouchable, but I guess any time a player-coach combination can go 8-0 in their last eight playoff games, you can draw those comparisons.
Strength of argument: 7
Statistical evidence: 9
Entertainment value: 7
Overall: 23
JO: Aronin does a valid job defending the Pats and Belichick, correctly citing the AFC as being the more competitive league than the NFC. However, his reference to Vinatieri as being the X-factor in the contest is wrong. Completely wrong. While the Patriots will indeed win, everyone knows Brady, with thoughts of me OBVIOUSLY racing through his mind, will come through with a tight spiral to Deon Branch to win the game for the Pats, 17-10.
Strength of argument: 7
Statistical evidence: 8
Entertainment Value: 4
Total: 19
Ultimate-Total score: 42
Eagles set for an upset
ALEX RUBIN
Everyone knows that the Philadelphia Eagles will defeat the New England Patriots on Sunday, taking home the Lombardi Trophy and ending the Patriots' four-year run as a "dynasty." And if they don't? Well then I'm wrong, pigs can fly and worms have ears. Here are the top three reasons the Eagles will win.
3. No matter what anyone else says: Not only will Terrell Owens play, he will have a major impact on the outcome. He won't be trumped by Randy Moss' blue moon. I personally would go for ripping off the jersey incredible hulk style.
2. Bryan Westbrook is going to be returning punts in the Super Bowl. Westbrook was a beast of a return man in the 2003-04 season averaging 15.3 yards per return before becoming the starting running back this season.
1. After the Eagles win, who wouldn't love to see Eagles receiver Freddie Mitchell, Minnie T.O., with his "peoples champ" wrestling belt, run up to Patriots safety and resident "nice guy" Rodney "the hitman" Harrison, and just level him from behind, and while Harrison is on the ground, Mitchell could say something like "LOOK AT THE SCOREBOARD NOW GRASSHOPPA!" That quote from Major League 2, is the greatest comeback line of all time. You cannot tell me differently.
Final score: Eagles, 35 Patriots, 34. The Eagles win when Adam Vinatieri misses a 25-yard field goal with no time left, thus relinquishing his status as "greatest kicker of all time."
Judges Table
DG: Alex Rubin did a great job with obscure references and keeping everything light. The only problem with your argument is Adam Vinatieri has ice water running through his veins, and I could never, in good conscience agree with someone who can say that he would miss a field goal in a clutch situation.
Strength of argument: 5
Statistical evidence: 6
Entertainment value: 10
Overall: 21
JO: I want to see T.O. rip off his jersey, then his ankle tape, then re-tape his jersey with the ripped off ankle tape, then rip the jersey off again and fire it into the stands. Follow that? Me either. Rubin combined factual evidence with an argument that includes a wrestling belt and a possible reference to Willy Mays Hayes. I'm also a fan of the underdog (see Rubin's title) and in Rubin picking the underdog Eagles, I instantly envision Gordon Bombay. DUCKS FLY TOGETHER! Enough said.
Strength of argument: 7
Statistical evidence: 5
Entertainment value: 10
Overall: 22
Ultimate-total score: 43
To conclude this years Super Bowl showdown, "Rad" Alex Rubin narrowly edges out Will "Billy Boy" Aronin, 43-42.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
